In light of the recent backlash Indiana has faced over passing a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act — legislation many believe essentially grants business owners and corporations a license to discriminate against LGBT individuals — Pennsylvania lawmakers are doubling down on efforts to sign Republican cosponsors onto House Bill 300.
The long-stalled legislation would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the classes protected from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.
Gabe Spece, chief of staff for state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.), who has served as prime sponsor of the measure for several years, said Frankel is continuing to expand the copsonsorship list and will likely introduce the bill this month. So far, it has 80 cosponsors, including nearly 15 Republicans.
When the measure was last introduced in 2013, it had 77 cosponsors, seven of whom were Republicans.
“The bipartisan nature we have so far in terms of support for the bill is encouraging,” said Spece. “That’s a good sign for us. But we are pushing for even more from both sides of the aisle.”
He said he hopes the public outcry over the Indiana situation encourages new cosponsors to sign on.
“I’m sure all of the legislators here in Harrisburg are aware of the backlash Indiana is receiving and that it’s going to force people to take a good, hard look at legislation like House Bill 300,” Spece said. “I hope it will lead people to take another look at the bill and the cosponsorship memo we circulated. No one wants to stand for discrimination.”